Fairfield Flood House

This post-war house in Fairfield, Brisbane was flooded throughout its ground floor spaces. Upon reconstruction, the clients desired not only to raise the existing house higher, but rebuild in underneath with flood-proof materials. This resulted in a development of experimental and conventional ideas at all scales of design and construction. Single skin designer block masonry, with polished concrete floors are combined with sunken sill details to allow easy washing out of future floodwater. Joinery on the ground floor is constructed out of marine ply, with stone bench-tops standing on its own powdercoated frame, with removable counter units underneath for cleaning. This will substantially reduce repair costs in the event of another flood. The combination of flood friendly materials has created an exciting aesthetic, with a hanging stair linking the new ground level and the relatively undamaged upper floor.